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Former/Current HD Riders

Wife is interested in a Harley Deuce for sale in the neighborhood. She doesn't want to pilot, just ride behind me. I know it would be a stark change from the R1150RT I ride (and will continue to ride) almost daily. For any that might have experience in the matter, how well or badly does a softail, particularly the Deuce, ride and handle? I envision something more similar to my R75 than my R1150.

Whoa

Be very cautious here. Keeping in mind, everybody's body is different,
here's my experience.
I have had 6 BMWs and 4 Harleys.
I have a current Road King and 04 K1200GT.
I had a Deuce and I got rid of it as soon as I could.
The feet forward position and the laid back body just did not work for me.
I felt like I couldn't go fast.
I likened it to trying to run fast while leaning backwards.
The ergos on regular HDs are more normal.
The 'softtail' versions of HD all have the feet forward position.
They do look cool tho and
a lot of people ride 'softtail' Harleys and like them.
Try to take a long test ride if you can.
Maybe leaning back into your passenger would be a good thing tho.

Personal ownership is 2 Harleys in the past; had and have many local friends with assorted HDs.

The twin-shock versions are more comfortable (my girl at the time could fall asleep on the back of my FLHTC!) and handle better than the Softtails. Disadvantage of the Dynas is that the motor mount alignment/tension is Absolutely Critical for handling, and many shops do Not know how to set this up correctly.
(Side note: exhaust on one side only makes primary case work less tedious.)

At that time I also had a couple of friends with Gold Wings. My FLH would easily out-handle them up on Angeles Crest (easy to scrape both sides with non-Harley tires and shocks), but of course they'd out-power me on the straights.

But Softtails do look good. She'd be sitting lower, also need to examine her available leg room; maybe she's tired of being way up, or cramped? On the other hand, you need to discuss whose bike it is, who's paying for it and maintaining it, etc... "Emotional" purchases are often regretted later.

I use to own a Deuce. A wonderful bike, factory custom styling (front forks, stretched tank, rear wheel, etc.), and I had no problems with. It was a blast on mountain roads and handled fine. A nice in-the-bike feel to it. That said, it is more of a bike for a single rider. Very compromising for a passenger.

Any Softail is not a bike on which a passenger will feel really comfortable. The seat pad is usually too small, the suspension not really comfortable and the relatively high position of the passenger behind the driver will expose her to a lot of wind pressure. My wife and i still like tor ide our FXSTS ever so often, but these are shorter, Sunday afternoon rides through the park system or to the icecream place.

bmw - HD - bmw/star

OK, so not quite apples to applesauce...

My 89 airhead developed some major reliability issues (FD and charging). Some friends REALLY wanted us to continue riding with them and they had a "spare" 04 FLHTC (electraglide) that was given to us. How can one refuse?

I was impressed with the overall handling of that bike, but constantly in a state of panic about the costs to maintain it on a partially employed teacher's salary.

So the time came that we offered to sell it to my wife's brother, who quickly said yes. We then bought my current 04 1150 GS and an 05 V-star 650 for my DW.

Two thoughts occur:
1. Riding pillion on the airhead, my wife commented "it's like riding an anvil perched in a sequoia". Riding the EG, she was comfortable, could easily board and enjoyed the ride.
2. Any bike that has the initials STD in it's model - you gotta wonder...

I have had H-D's since 1984 and like them a lot, including the softtail. But 400 miles on it is a very long day. However, I can ride my 1100GS for 7 or 800 miles a day and feel fine. The Harley is for state trips, but for serious road work I use the BMW

Just Do It!

Like other posting in this thread, I own both a HD ('04 Road King Classic - FLHRCI) and BMW ('03 R1150R) as well. The newest HD was a 2011 Road Glide - awesome bike and newest BMW was a 2009 R12GSA - awesome as well. NOTE: retirement is approaching and preserving cash, thus the older models in the garage!

Anyway...I am with others on the softails....great for one rider and two in a pinch - even though you do see 'em riding two-up and loaded down - just not for me. I have always liked the looks of a Deuce with the solid rear wheel, stretched tank, etc. - and the factory paint colors are very very well done. If the bike has been remotely close to being well maintained, you should have not problems. I have found current HDs to be virtually bullet proof.

Even though I scribe to the "easier to ask forgiveness than permission" philosophy, I would go for it given you already have the permission!

Good luck with your decision and remember, if you (or your SO doesn't like the pilion) don't like it, you can more than likely sell it quickly as it is a popular model.

The best person to decide what to ride is the potential owner. Let her ride several different makes/models to see what she is comfortable with. The HD sits lower and allows persons with shorter legs to flat foot the bike at rest. This is a great advantage for smaller/lighter riders. Aftermarket parts for HD abound and the bikes can be serviced just about anywhere in North America. You will be impressed with the excellant gas mileage ( I have gotten 51 mpg cruising back roads between Jacksonville, FL and Savannah, GA). The Duece is certainly not the handling bike a GS or RT is but can be a big confidence builder for a novice rider. Another plus is the resale value. I ride my CLC for long trips (over 400 miles to/from) and the FSXTI in the heat and on local trips. Excellant aftermarket seats for the Duece are available fron Mustang, Corbin, Sargent, and many other manufacturers.